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Moving on up: Major League debuts

Moving on up: Major League debuts

CALLED UP: Contract purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket Sept. 25 when P Bartolo Colon went on the restricted list.

DEBUT: Sept. 25 in a 6-1 win against Cleveland. He pinch-ran for Alex Cora in the sixth inning and remained in the game at shortstop.

NOTES: In one of the most unlikely and unexpected debuts, long after all the prospects had been called up and battle-tested, 28-year-old veteran utility infielder Gil Velazquez made his big league debut in, of all things, a title race for the defending World Series champion Red Sox. Brought up earlier in the day, the 11th-year vet pinch-ran for Alex Cora and stayed in at shortstop, one of several positions he played at Pawtucket this year where he also played first, second, third and the outfield. Originally a 14th-round pick in 1998 by the Mets, Velazquez played in that organization through the 2004 season before being signed by Minnesota, who used him in a similarly utilitarian role for the next three seasons. He joined the Sox this year and had, for him, a career year, hitting .260 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs after coming into the campaign carrying a .228 average over 10 years.

Lisa Winston is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.